Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Sir Walter Raleigh')

Directed by Henry Koster
USA 1955

Bette Davis takes on the role of Queen Elizabeth I for a second time - 16 years after the successful The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. Richard Todd plays Sir Walter Raleigh, the love interest while Joan Collins via's for his affections. Standard fare for a Hollywood historical drama but Davis is always a treat to see.

Posters

Theatrical Release: July 22nd, 1955

Reviews                                                                   More Reviews                                                        DVD Reviews

 

DVD Comparison:

20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC

 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

  

  

Distribution 20th Century - Region 2,4 - PAL 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC

Also available in the Bette Davis Centenary Celebration Collection which includes All About Eve / Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte / The Virgin Queen / Phone Call from a Stranger and The Nanny

              

Runtime 1:28:06 (4% PAL Speedup) 1:31:40 
Video 2.55:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.58 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
2.55:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.79 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:  PAL

Bitrate:  NTSC

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUBS: French (Dolby Digital 2.0), Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0), German (Dolby Digital 2.0) English (Dolby Digital 4.0), DUBS: English, French and Spanish mono
Subtitles English, French Italian, German, Dutch, Swedish, None English, Spanish, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 2.55:1

Edition Details:

• black and white trailer (2:15)

DVD Release Date: April 17th, 2006

Keep Case
Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio: 20th Century Fox


Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 2.55:1

Edition Details:

• Isolated Score option

• Featurette: Virgin Territory: The Making of the Virgin Queen (28:23)

• Restoration Comparison

• Trailer

• TV Spots

• 4 different galleries (Pressbook, Poster, Stills and Lobby Cards)



DVD Release Date: April 8th, 2008

In Boxset it is a slim case
Chapters: 24

 

 

 

Comments:

ADDITION: Region 1 - NTSC edition - March 08': Short story is that the NTSC captures give evidence that this new version is much brighter, with more vibrant colors, than its, older, PAL counterpart. There is less noise and a healthier bitrate. It also offers a quasi-buoyant 4.0 channel track that isn't extensively tested where the PAL has a mere 2.0 channel. 

This new release also offers much more in the supplements department. On top of some delightful static galleries, TV spots, a trailer and a mini-comparison is a half-hour featurette on the 'Making of...' with some film experts giving input. Where the individual price on this NTSC release is very good (less than $15), we certainly must endorse the entire Bette Davis Centenary Celebration Collection which we will finish reviewing very soon. Great titles - reasonable price. Stay tuned!

***

ABOUT THE PAL: Fox releases an adequate transfer - bare bones and ready to flog in Europe and Australia. The image is quite acceptable  - colors are a tad dimmer than I might have expected. The anamorphic cinemascope ratio looked great on my system. Nice to see this unreleased classic finally surface and at a reasonable price. A treat for Davis fans.

Gary W. Tooze


DVD Menus

 

(20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)


 
 
 

 


Subtitle Sample

 

 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

NOTE: Not exact frame!

 


 

Screen Captures

 

 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 


 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 


 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 


 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)

 

 


 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
 

 

 


 (20th Century Fox - Region 2,4 - PAL TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
 

 


Report Card:

 

Image:

NTSC

Sound:

NTSC

Extras: NTSC
Menu: NTSC

 

DVD Box Cover

  

  

Distribution 20th Century - Region 2,4 - PAL 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC

Also available in the Bette Davis Centenary Celebration Collection which includes All About Eve / Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte / The Virgin Queen / Phone Call from a Stranger and The Nanny

              




 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!